Stampeders file grievance in Argos reported hiring

Stampeders file grievance in Argos reported hiring

TORONTO — Although Chris Jones was not introduced as the Toronto Argonauts’ new defensive co-ordinator Thursday when Scott Milanovich was unveiled as the team’s new head coach, Calgary has filed a grievance with the CFL regarding Toronto’s hiring of the former Stampeders defensive co-ordinator.

The Stampeders would only say they are awaiting the league’s decision.

As rumours started to swirl early this week that Jones, who coached with Milanovich in Montreal 2007, was moving east, Calgary head coach John Hufnagel spoke with the media Wednesday and confirmed Jones met with him Tuesday to tender his resignation.

“Chris informed me yesterday that he’d be moving on to Toronto,” said Hufnagel, who also confirmed the Argos did not ask permission to speak with Jones. “I’m very surprised; had no forewarning of it. That is just what happened. I would have liked to have seen things go differently.”

Also on Wednesday, rumours connected Montreal receivers coach Marcus Brady with Toronto’s offensive co-ordinator position. Yet Thursday neither Milanovich nor general manager Jim Barker would confirm any speculation. When asked about Jones, Barker said the Argos did not ask to interview Jones because the team believed the co-ordinator was not available.

“Chris Jones was never even brought in discussions we had about staffing,” he said. “So that is what happened. “We have not approached the Calgary Stampeders. There has been nothing else done at this point.”

When a reporter asked if Milanovich had spoken to Jones about coming to Toronto, Barker interrupted before his new coach could speak.

“I don’t think we need to talk about specifics of this,” Barker said. “It is getting totally off topic.”